The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to upgrade the infrastructure at its schools to enhance the teaching experience and provide a modern learning environment for students. According to a plan drafted by the Education Department, with support from Information Technology experts, around 23 schools have been selected to receive digital tools. Emphasizing the importance of technology, NMC officials are eager to improve teaching resources, especially as students have been excelling academically in recent years.
The NMC has decided to procure 128 digital units, which will be distributed among the selected schools in the first phase. According to Swapnil Lokhande, Deputy Commissioner and Director of IT at NMC, the schools were shortlisted based on a thorough assessment of their existing infrastructure and needs. These classrooms will be transformed into smart digital learning spaces, allowing teachers to offer more in-depth and engaging instruction across various subjects.
The goal is to retain students by making learning enjoyable. Digital tools, particularly in science education, have proven to be highly effective, and they are also beneficial for teaching languages. The introduction of digital boards will enable audio-visual presentations, enhancing the overall learning experience.
According to scientific studies, this approach enables better student comprehension. The Education Department believes that digital intervention can transform the traditionally dull nature of classrooms into more engaging and dynamic learning environments, which is why the Digital Classrooms project was initiated.
Among the shortlisted schools are six run by the Akansha Foundation. These schools, now operating as English medium institutions, are located in each of the city’s assembly constituencies. The NMC brought in the Akansha Foundation, known for its excellent track record, to manage these schools, which had been closed due to low student enrollment. However, since their conversion to English medium schools, student numbers have increased significantly, leading to a growing demand for more such institutions. These six schools also continue to offer education in Urdu, Hindi, and Marathi mediums.
Another key component of the school program is the establishment of computer labs to give students access to the web. These labs will facilitate e-learning and provide access to a vast array of knowledge, including subscriptions to scientific journals that can enhance students’ learning capabilities. Lokhande mentioned that the estimated cost of the Digital Classroom project is around Rs 6 to 7 crores.
Computer-based animated media is set to be introduced in classroom teaching to make lessons more interactive and enriching. The computer labs will also be instrumental in helping students develop essential soft skills, as computer literacy is crucial in today’s world.
In addition to installing the necessary equipment, the NMC plans to enforce a three-year contract for ongoing teacher training. This will ensure that educators can adapt to new teaching methods and are well-equipped to utilize modern technology. The project is expected to be completed within the next five to six months, with the goal of allowing students to benefit from the new technology during this year’s semester.